The Five Shoes Every Man Needs

Black oxfords

The sensible bedrock of the grown man's shoe collection. These will get you through just about every family crisis and black-tie event life can throw at you. Provided you keep them polished. Leather cap-toe oxfords ($350) by Johnston & Murphy.

Brown wing tips

If black shoes mean business, then brown wing tips mean...business. But less so. Look for a robust construction but nothing so casual that you can't wear them with a suit. Ideally, you will eventually have two pairs of brown to your one pair of black. Leather wing tips ($725) by Church's.

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Loafers

If you're an American, you need a loafer. Year-round, the official dress shoe of the United States is formal enough for the office and as casual as dress-down Friday should ever get. Leather loafers ($185) by Cole Haan.

Classic bucks

Bucks have enjoyed a renaissance lately, mainly because they make ideal partners for dark jeans and khakis. Consider them a semi dress-up alternative to sneakers. Suede bucks ($138) by J.Crew.

Classic sneakers

The sneaker holds a high place in the annals of American footwear. You need a pair in your closet. And we don't mean tennis sneakers. Or running sneakers. Or "hybrid" sneakers. We mean sneakers. Canvas sneakers ($95), Converse by John Varvatos.